CHAPTER V. 



DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ANIMALS RUMINANTS. 



THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 



E shall not introduce the animals we are about to 

 inspect according to a systematic classification, 

 but bring them forward as they appear to the eye 

 of the traveller or sportsman, giving the largest and the most 

 important the first place. Our object is rather to view the 

 characteristic animals of each region we visit than to attempt 

 a scientific examination of the whole animated kingdom of 

 the world — a task which must be left to those who have far 

 more time at their disposal than we possess. 



We will begin, therefore, with the animals Ijelonging to 

 the ruminantia — the eighth in natural order ; taking next 

 the carnivora — the fifth ; and the smaller rodentia — the 

 sixth ; while the birds and reptiles will follow in due course. 

 Among these^ however, we shall select only the most notable 

 and curious ; for although North America does not teem with 

 animal life in the same degree as the southern half of the 

 continent, were we to attempt to introduce all those existing 

 ill it we could ii'ive but a mea2:re account of oacli. 



